The Best Way to Learn Korean || Our 10 Step Guide
Tried and Tested: The Best Ways to Learn Korean
So, you’ve decided to learn Korean—congratulations! Learning Korean is an exciting and rewarding journey.
But let’s be honest: it can also feel overwhelming at times. With its unique alphabet, different sentence structures, and formal speech levels, Korean might seem intimidating at first.
But here’s the good news: learning Korean doesn’t have to be difficult if you use the right methods.
The secret to success isn’t just about memorizing endless vocabulary lists or drilling grammar rules—it’s about finding effective, engaging, and sustainable ways to practice.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective strategies for mastering Korean. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have some experience, these tips will help you build confidence and reach fluency faster.
Best Way to Learn Korean || Our Top Tips
Best Way to Learn Korean || Mastering Hangul
Best Way to Learn Korean || Building Vocabulary & Phrases
Best Way to Learn Korean || Perfecting Pronunciation
Best Way to Learn Korean || Grammar Without the Headache
Best Way to Learn Korean || Immersing Yourself in Korean
Best Way to Learn Korean || Practicing Speaking & Listening
Best Way to Learn Korean || Using Apps & Online Resources
Best Way to Learn Korean || Korean Culture & Language Learning
Best Way to Learn Korean || Staying Motivated & Consistent
Best Way to Learn Korean || FAQs
1. Our Top Tips
Here are five key strategies to help you learn Korean effectively:
1️⃣ Learn Hangul first – Mastering the Korean alphabet takes just a few hours and makes reading and pronunciation much easier.
2️⃣ Speak from day one – Even if you only know a few words, try using them in daily conversations to build confidence.
3️⃣ Immerse yourself – Surround yourself with Korean through music, dramas, social media, and native content.
4️⃣ Practice daily – Consistency beats cramming, so set aside a little time every day for learning.
5️⃣ Find a teacher or language partner – Talking with native speakers or fellow learners helps improve fluency and keeps you motivated.
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2. Mastering Hangul
One of the first and most crucial steps in learning Korean is mastering Hangul (한글), the Korean alphabet.
Unlike Chinese or Japanese, Hangul is a simple and logical writing system created specifically to be easy to learn. It consists of 14 consonants and 10 vowels, and each character represents a specific sound rather than an entire word.
Why Hangul is a Game-Changer:
It allows you to read and pronounce Korean words correctly instead of relying on Romanization. It makes it easier to learn new vocabulary, as you can recognize word patterns.
Plus if you enjoy Korean media or want to visit Korea, being able to read Hangul will hugely enrich your experience!
Best Ways to Learn Hangul Quickly:
Consistency is key when learning the Korean alphabet. That might look like taking an online class a few times a week, using flashcards to train your memory or watching YouTube tutorials that break down how Hangul works.
You can also write out common words and phrases to get familiar with character shapes. Practice reading menus, street signs, and subtitles.
With just a few hours of study, you can start reading basic Korean words and improving your pronunciation immediately!
3. Building Vocabulary & Phrases
Memorizing new words is essential, but learning words in context is even more important.
Instead of randomly studying vocabulary lists, focus on common words and phrases that you’ll actually use in conversation.
How to Build a Strong Vocabulary:
Start with the 100 most common words (pronouns, verbs, basic nouns).
Group words by themes, such as food, travel, family, and shopping.
Use spaced repetition apps like Anki or Memrise to review vocabulary regularly.
Learn in sentences rather than isolated words to understand how they fit into conversations.
Bonus Tip: Try writing short diary entries in Korean every day to reinforce your vocabulary and sentence structure.
The 100 Most Common Korean Words (Official List)
Here’s the official list of the 100 most common Korean words by the National Institute of Korean Language. Download the full list of 6,000 words on our page
4. Perfecting Pronunciation
Korean pronunciation can be challenging for English speakers due to unique sounds like ㄹ (r/l) and ㅃ, ㄸ, ㅉ (tense consonants). However, with the right techniques, you can sound much more natural.
Techniques to Improve Pronunciation:
Listen and mimic native speakers from K-dramas, YouTube, and podcasts.
Use the shadowing method—repeat sentences immediately after a native speaker to match intonation and rhythm
Focus on sound differences like ㅐ (ae) vs. ㅔ (e), which are tricky for beginners.
Record yourself speaking and compare it to native pronunciation.
Over time, improving your pronunciation will make you sound more fluent and confident!
5. Grammar Without the Headache
Korean grammar is one of the biggest challenges for learners, especially for those coming from English, where word order and sentence structure are vastly different.
Instead of a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure like English (“I eat apples”), Korean follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure (“I apples eat”).
On top of that, verb endings change depending on politeness levels, and particles (such as 이/가 and 을/를) can be confusing at first.
But don’t worry—Korean grammar doesn’t have to be overwhelming! The key is to focus on patterns rather than memorizing rules in isolation. Once you start recognizing how sentences are built, you’ll find that Korean grammar is actually quite logical.
RESOURCE 💡 LTL Korean Grammar Bank
Simple Grammar Tips:
Start with basic sentence structures: 저는 학생이에요. (I am a student.) 오늘 날씨가 좋아요. (Today’s weather is nice.)
Learn verb conjugations in context, especially polite and casual forms.
Study connectors like 그래서 (so) and 하지만 (but) to build longer sentences.
Grammar doesn’t have to be scary—use it step by step, and it will start to make sense!
6. Immersing Yourself in Korean
One of the fastest ways to learn any language is immersion, which of course, ideally means learning Korean in Korea or even staying with a Korean family.
But if that’s not currently an option for you right now, don’t worry! Thanks to the internet, you can surround yourself with Korean language and culture no matter where you live.
By integrating Korean into your daily life, you’ll start absorbing vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation naturally, just like a child learning their first language.
Think about how we acquire our native language—we don’t memorize lists of words or grammar rules first. Instead, we hear words in context, see them repeatedly, and eventually start using them ourselves. The same principle applies to learning Korean: the more you expose yourself to the language, the faster you’ll improve.
Immersion doesn’t mean you need to study 24/7. Small, consistent habits can have a huge impact
Ways to Create an Immersive Environment at Home:
📱Change your phone and apps to Korean.
📺 Watch K-dramas and YouTube videos with Korean subtitles.
👍 Follow Korean social media accounts and read their posts.
🎵 Listen to Korean radio, news, or music while commuting.
The more Korean you consume, the faster you’ll improve!
7. Practicing Speaking & Listening
For many learners, speaking and listening are the hardest skills to develop. Reading and writing are great, but if you can’t hold a conversation, you’re missing out on one of the most rewarding aspects of learning a language—connecting with native speakers!
Many Korean learners struggle with listening comprehension because spoken Korean often differs from textbook Korean.
Casual speech, slang, and fast pronunciation can make real conversations feel overwhelming. Similarly, speaking can feel intimidating because Korean has different politeness levels, and many learners are afraid of making mistakes.
But don’t let this discourage you!
The only way to get better at speaking and listening is to actually do it. Even if you’re a beginner, you can start training your ears and tongue with simple, daily exercises.
REMEMBER: The goal isn’t perfection—it’s getting comfortable with the rhythm of the language and building confidence over time.
How to Improve Speaking & Listening:
Take online classes: engaging with native speaker teachers is the best way to improve your listening and speaking skills at the same time.
Psst… we’re currently offering a 7 Day Free Trial on our online Flexi Classes! 🤫
Watch variety shows (they use casual, everyday language).
Speak out loud every day, even if you’re just talking to yourself!
Join Korean conversation groups online or in person.
The key is not being afraid to make mistakes—every mistake is progress!
8. Using Apps & Online Resources
Technology has revolutionized language learning, making it easier and more accessible than ever.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced learner, there are countless apps, websites, and online courses designed to help you improve your Korean skills.
But with so many resources available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or waste time jumping from one app to another without real progress.
The key is to choose the right tools for your learning style and use them consistently. Some apps are great for memorizing vocabulary, while others are better for practicing pronunciation or grammar.
Another huge advantage of online learning is interactive content. Unlike traditional textbooks, many apps use gamification, AI-based speech recognition, and real-time feedback to make learning engaging.
Plus, you can connect with native speakers and fellow learners from around the world, creating an immersive experience right from your phone or computer.
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There have never been so many language learning apps on the market that nowadays! We analysed the best apps to learn Korean in 2021, so you don’t have to.
Top Apps & Resources:
Duolingo & LingoDeer – Beginner-friendly courses.
Korean Grammar Bank – Simple explanations and breakdowns of each grammar structure.
Naver Dictionary & Papago – Great for translations and pronunciation.
Anki & Memrise – Best for memorizing vocabulary.
9. Korean Culture & Language Learning
Language and culture are deeply connected. You can’t fully understand a language without understanding the culture behind it. Korean is rich in cultural expressions, historical influences, and unspoken rules that shape communication.
By learning more about Korean culture, you’ll not only improve your language skills but also gain insight into the mindset and values of native speakers.
For example, Korean has different speech levels depending on the social relationship between speakers. The way you talk to a friend (반말) is completely different from how you would speak to an elder or boss (존댓말). If you don’t understand these cultural nuances, you might accidentally come across as rude—even if your grammar is perfect!
Additionally, many common Korean phrases don’t translate directly into English. Expressions like “고생했어요” (which means something like “You worked hard” and is often said after someone finishes a difficult task) reflect Korean cultural values of effort and perseverance.
By immersing yourself in Korean TV shows, music, traditions, and social norms, you’ll develop a more natural understanding of the language.
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10. Staying Motivated & Consistent
Learning Korean is a marathon, not a sprint. Many learners start off highly motivated, only to lose steam after a few months. The key to long-term success is building sustainable habits and keeping your motivation high even when progress feels slow.
One of the biggest challenges of learning a language is the plateau effect—the point where progress slows down, and you feel stuck.
This happens to everyone at some point, but the key is to push through and keep going. Remind yourself why you started learning Korean in the first place and find ways to make studying enjoyable. 💪
Another challenge is consistency. Studying for 10 minutes every day is more effective than cramming for hours once a week. The brain learns best through regular exposure and repetition, so it’s important to create a routine that fits into your lifestyle.
Finally, don’t be afraid to take breaks and have fun with the language! If you’re feeling burnt out, watch a K-drama, listen to K-pop, or play a Korean mobile game instead of forcing yourself to study grammar. Learning a language should feel exciting, not like a chore.
What’s your favorite way to learn Korean? Let us know in the comments! 😊
Best Way to Learn Korean: FAQs
How long does it take to learn Korean?
It depends on your goals and the amount of time you dedicate to studying. For casual conversation, you might need 6-12 months of consistent practice. To reach fluency, it typically takes 2-3 years with regular immersion.
Is Korean grammar really difficult?
Korean grammar is different from English but not necessarily harder. Once you get used to sentence structure (SOV), verb endings, and particles, it becomes more intuitive. The key is to learn in patterns rather than trying to memorize isolated rules.
Do I need to learn Hangul before starting?
Yes! Hangul is one of the easiest alphabets to learn and can be mastered in just a few days. Learning Hangul early will help you with pronunciation, reading, and understanding Korean words better.
What’s the best way to practice speaking Korean?
The best way is to speak as much as possible—even if you make mistakes! Try language exchange apps, online tutors, or talking to yourself in Korean. Shadowing native speakers from K-dramas or YouTube videos can also improve your pronunciation.
How can I immerse myself in Korean if I don’t live in Korea?
You can create immersion by watching K-dramas without subtitles, listening to Korean podcasts, following Korean social media, and using language exchange apps to chat with native speakers. However, the best way to immerse yourself is by spending time studying the language in Korea, and an LTL Language School homestay lets you live with a local family, giving you 24/7 language exposure and real-life practice in an authentic setting.
Want More From LTL?
FANCY LEARNING KOREAN? Check out our online Korean courses here.
We offer a 7-day free trial to all online students where you can study Korean 24/7.
Want to study Korean in Korea instead? Our Korean courses in Seoul can either be taken in small groups of no more than 5 students or individually for a more tailored experience.
We even offer incredible homestay experiences in Seoul too.
To top it all off, it certainly doesn’t end with Korean. Check out the other languages we teach 👇🏻